Courtesy photo. Connie Tippins holds her first-place 26.7-pound dolphin caught during the Halifax Sport Fishing Club Tournament held June 6.
The Halifax Sport Fishing Club held its annual ladies tournament – Bruce Tippins put his wife, Connie on the first-place dolphin, which weighed 26.7 pounds. Angela King got first place Wahoo overall winner, and Susan Cloer landed the largest kingfish.
The junior angler award went to Kaitlyn Bumpass. With the good weather recently, the dolphin bite offshore remained quite hot with many fish weighing up to 40 pounds being brought to the dock.
Great catches everywhere this time of year
Reportedly a 73.5 pound dolphin was landed as was a 121-pound Wahoo.
Additionally, Sailfish releases made for great days offshore. Cobia are also biting well. A couple of free-jumping marlin have been observed.
In the surf, the pompano bite has been great the first thing in the morning. There also have been quite a few "large" bluefish in the 10- to 15-pound range caught.
Snook fishing has been reportedly hot from the Tomoka River to Spruce Creek. Artificial baits seem to be getting the job done. Flounder are hot nearly everywhere.
There have been a lot of Jack Cravelle and ladyfish caught. Trout action - especially on pin fish - is hot in the first part of the morning and then slows down. Snook season is currently closed along the Atlantic coast and inland waters until it reopens Sept. 1.
Capt. Fred Robert is catching the Tarpon again. He says they are biting best at night and in the early morning. He also reports that fishing for the large reds in the inlet has slowed but the best time is at slack tide.
In Oak Hill, shrimpers have been catching decent sized red shrimp.
The Tomoka River has lost some of its salinity and consequently slowed down the fishing.
Federal report: Red snapper overfished
In the latter part of 2006 Congress passed a significantly stronger Magnuson – Stevens Fishery Management and Conservation Act, a piece of legislation designed to guide federal fishery management, which was supposed to end overfishing by 2010. A year later, a modern stock assessment of the Genuine Red Snapper in the South Atlantic was released revealing that the species was severely overfished and was a topic of great concern. Obviously, if such is the case, then immediate action should be implemented. CCA is calling upon the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council to take a calculated approach to red snapper and to mitigate any impact on the recreational angler.
This includes further review of the existing science on Red Snapper to confirm the status to the stock, additional research to fill critical gaps in researches’ knowledge of the species for management. CCA feels that complete closure of any fishery should be the last resort.
If after further review and research, it appears necessary to close the red snapper fishery then the fisheries for all other bottom species should remain open. Further CCA suggests additional federal funding for the development of better release practices to reduce the mortality incurred with release of red snapper.
Further they suggest that when a stock is recovered, it should be managed as a purely recreational fishery. CCA also states that they will oppose any proposal to close all bottom fishing unless all other options have been completely exhausted and such closures comply the specific criteria of the Magnuson-Stevens Act including timelines for reopening, periodic research and assessment requirements and minimum size designations that are no larger than that needed to achieve the rebuilding of the red snapper stock.
Always be cognizant of divers in the water
In the past five years, 22 divers have been killed or injured after a boat struck them.
Many of these incidents could have been avoided had the boaters been looking for “divers-down” flags or if the divers had properly displayed their dive flags alerting boaters to their presence.
Gov. Charlie Christ passed a resolution proclaiming June 17 to July 3, 2009, as Dive Week Awareness Week. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC), the U.S. Coast Guard, and their marine law enforcement partners support the resolution.
An FWC watch commander, Lt. David Bingham, stationed in South Florida, became very familiar with diving dangers after investigating several injuries and fatalities.
“Tens of thousands of residents and visitors enjoy the snorkeling and diving opportunities that Florida offers," Bingham said. "Obviously divers do not want to be struck by a boat nor do boaters want to strike a diver either.”
Bingham conducts an annual “Wave the Flag” enforcement detail targeting dive-flag-related violations in south Florida. He is on a mission to promote dive-flag awareness and is encourage by the proclamation.
"We want people to enjoy diving without having worry if they are going to be hit by a boat," he said.
A divers-down flag (a 20x24 inch red flag with a white stripe and a stiffening rod suspended from a high point with 360 degree visibility used on a vessel must be displayed whenever snorkelers or divers are in the water) must be used whenever divers or snorkelers are in the water. A divers-down flag must be 12x12 inches with the same markings and a stiffening rod when used on a float. Divers and snorkelers must make every reasonable effort to stay close to the flag. When they exit the water, they must take down the flag immediately. If not done so promptly, then the flag can become meaningless to boaters.
New licensing information set by Florida Wildlife Commission
New licensing information has been established by the FWC. Florida’s resident saltwater anglers, who fish from shore or a structure affixed to shore will need to buy a $7.50 (plus administrative and handling fees shoreline fishing license by Aug. 1, unless they have a regular saltwater license.
The new license applies only to Florida resident saltwater anglers who fish from shore. Resident anglers may prefer to acquire a regular recreational saltwater license which covers them. No matter where they fish for saltwater species. in Florida. Non-residents fishing in Florida waters have always been required to have a license when fishing from shore and they will still need to purchase a nonresident saltwater fishing license.
The new saltwater fishing license for residents goes on sale on July 15. It provides all of the same exemptions as a regular license, including senior citizens, children, disabled anglers, who meet certain qualifications, active duty military personnel while home on leave, and anglers who fish from a licensed pier.
In addition, the shoreline license requirement includes two new exemptions: anglers drawing food stamps, temporary cash assistance or Medicaid, and anglers fishing in their home counties, who use cane poles or other gear that does not have a mechanical retrieve.
The FWC had requested that the legislators to pass the new license requirement in order to head off a new federal license requirement that will go into effect on January 1, 2010, and will have a $15 to 25 fee beginning in 2011. Florida’s new shore line license exempts this state’s resident anglers from the federal license requirement.
Several hunting, fishing and conservation organizations requested other permit fee changes, which will not take place until July 1, 2010.
Some of these are an increase of the cost of a state waterfowl stamp from the current $3 to $5; a resident turkey permit from $5 to $10; a non-resident turkey permit from $100 to $125; a wildlife management area permit for hunting, fishing, and other recreational uses from $25 to $30; the snook permit from $2 to $19; the lobster permit from $2 to $5; and the limited-entry or special opportunity hunt fee from $100 per day to $150 per day, and $250 a week to $300 per week as determined by the FWC commissioners.
Also the new laws create a $5 annual deer permit (in addition to the current hunting license requirement for deer hunters) and allows the agency to charge up to $5 a day for non-hunting and non-fishing recreation on certain wildlife management areas. The FWC will evaluate areas where it is the lead manager to determine where to charge the fees and how much to charge. Furthermore, the state will use up to 10 percent of the hunting and sport-fishing fees to promote those sports with emphasis on youth participation.
Workshops to be held for South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico stocks
TheSoutheast Data, Assessment, and Review assessments of the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico stocks of black grouper and the South Atlantic red grouper will consist of a series of three workshops:
1. A Data Workshop at The Hilton Garden Inn, 5265 International Boulevard, North Charleston, SC (843) 308-9330;
2. An Assessment Workshop at The Hilton Bayfront, 333 First Street South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 (727) 894-5000;
3. A review Workshop at Hilton Garden Inn – Historic Savannah, 321 West Bay St., Savannah, Ga (912) 721-5000.
As of this blog's posting on NSBNEWS.net, no dates have been established. To get more details, please contact Julie Neer, SEDAR Coordinator, at (843) 571-4366 or at the numbers listed above for each locale.
Species listing process and marine fisheries to be outlined at two-day public hearing
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will meet at the Plantation Inn, 9301 West Fort Island Trail, in Chrystal River June 17-18. FWC meetings are open to public participation. The agenda for Wednesday, June 17, includes updates from the FWC staff.
In 2008, the commission directed staff to develop a new imperiled species listing process. Commissioners will hear an update on the project’s progress and provide further direction. The Staff members will also present an update on manatee management and showcasing the significant tasks that are in progress or have been completed. The plan had been approved in December 2007.
Law enforcement will also provide a progress report on its work plan regarding manatee harassment from human interaction. The Commissioners will also consider final action regarding the taking and possession of wild freshwater turtles and regulations governing establishment and operation of game farms.
Final rules regarding captured wildlife are also on the agenda for Wednesday’s meeting. Proposed rules cover permitting, caging, and other requirements for Class I, II and III wildlife and establish requirements for operation of wildlife sanctuaries. A final peregrine falcon management plan and rule to remove the peregrine falcon from Florida’s list of endangered species.
On the following day, June 18, the commission will discuss marine fisheries issues, including a final public hearing on changing the recreational harvest season for Red Snapper in the Gulf of Mexico state waters from June 1-Sept. 30 to June 1-Aug. 14, which is consistent with new federal regulations. Additionally there will be discussion of the proposed new rules for Gulf grouper to coincide with the few federal regulations – namely reducing the daily recreational aggregate for grouper from five to four fish per person.
Another proposal establishing a closed spawning season for all recreational and commercial harvest of shallow water groupers (gag yellow-fin, black, red, scamp, yellow-mouth, and rock and red hind) in the Gulf of Mexico state waters. The proposed closed season would extend a current one-month commercial closed season for red, gag and black grouper in the Gulf State waters.
The proposal would allow commercial fishermen to transport their legal grouper catches from federal waters through state waters during the closed season. Additionally the commercial minimum size would be lowered from 20 inches to 18 inches total length.
In other marine fisheries action, the FWC commissioners will consider proposed draft rule amendments to clarify that it is unlawful to buy or sell snook taken within or without the state, except as provided in the Snook special activity license provisions which state that no person may harvest or possess any snook taken within or without the state during closed seasons, that snook possessed on state waters, whether landed within or without state waters, must be in whole condition and that anglers may temporarily possess snook only to determine compliance with size requirements.
The commissioners will also consider draft rule amendments that would automatically allow use of new designs of by-catch reduction and turtle-exclusion devices in shrimp trawls in State waters, when new designs of by-catch reduction when new designs are certified for use in adjacent federal waters and make technical changes to turtle excluder device rules.
Currently, there are only two legal by-catch reduction devices allowed in Florida waters Finally, the Commissioners will discuss and review recent red drum assessment and management of the bonefish fishery. They will consider various federal fisheries management issues and on Friday, June 19, they will hold a workshop to discuss state and federal marine fisheries management coordination.
Coast Guard issues safety alert
The U.S.Coast Guard has issued a safety alert that serves to inform the maritime industry that energy saving Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL) or lighting, sometimes known as radio frequency (RF) lighting devices may interfere with certain communications equipment, CFL’s employ a RF lighting device to excite a a gas inside a bulb in order to produce light.
The federal Communications Commission recognized the need for and adopted rules to control the harmful interference to radio communication services from these devices. During the rule-making process the Coast Guard provided comments and recommended an advisory label for CFLs/RF lighting devises warning users about the potential interference to communication services and particularly with respect to devices capable of producing emissions in the 0.45 – 30 MHZ range.
As a result, the FCC required manufacturers of CFL’s to provide an advisory statement, either on the product packaging or with other user documentation similar to the following: “this product may cause interference to radio communications and should not be installed near maritime safety communications equipment or other critical navigation or communications equipment operating between 0.45 – 30 MHZ. The Coast Guard states that CFL’s have been installed upon the navigation bridges of vessels and in other places capable of causing radio communication interference.
Marine inspectors, vessel owners and operators should be aware of this potential safety hazard and take the proper action as needed. This safety alert is provided only for informational purposes and does not relieve any domestic or international safety, operational or material requirement.
It has been written; “The first principle in reading water is that Fish are found on the edges of things.” So whether you charter, ride a head boat, run your own vessel, stay in the river, surf fish, or fish from shore or a bridge - there are fish to be caught. Fishing is not a matter of life or death, it is so much more important than that.